21 Small Dog Breeds That Look Just Like Teddy Bears

Looking for a snuggly teddy bear to come home to every day. These dog breeds are exactly what you’re looking for. 

We found the best dogs that look like teddy bears bears and put them all on in one place.

If you’ve never heard the term, teddy bear dogs, you may be surprised to know it’s not one specific breed. 

When looking for your next dog, you should consider one of these bear looking dogs. These puppies are adorable, cuddly, fluffy crossbreeds.

The term teddy bear dog refers to any dog that looks like a teddy bear.

These dogs are often bred from lap dogs and are fluffy and small. However, they are not a uniform breed.

And their are definitely a few larger

This new style of dog is actually an unrecognized breed, with many different crossbreeds falling under the teddy bear dog category. 

What is a Teddy Bear Dog?

This type of dog is simply any dog that looks like a small stuffed bear.

They’re fluffy, soft fur and tiny stature give them their name because they really do look like a child’s stuffed bear.

Although they come in different varieties, temperaments, and sizes, one thing remains the same throughout every teddy bear dog out there. They are adorable. 

What Breed of Dog is a Teddy Bear Dog

The teddy bear dog isn’t a specific breed of dog. Instead, teddy bear dogs are a classification of looks.

The name refers to any small, fluffy dog that looks like a stuffed teddy bear.

The only exception to this rule is a Pomeranian. If you’ve seen any photos on Instagram of these guys, you’ll know why. 

Origin of this Breed

These dogs are a distinctly American concept.

First bred in the US int he ’50s, these little guys were used mostly as therapy dogs for children.

The very first hybrid teddy bear dogs were crosses between the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, what we know today as the cockapoo.

This was the first step toward an entire specialty crossbreeding section of dog breeders who produce teddy bear dogs.

Types of Dog Breeds that Look Like Bears

With the popularity of this specialty cross-breeding becoming more and more popular every year, there have been many different entries into the teddy bear dog pool of crossbreeds.

The following is a complete list of all the different crosses that are used to create this perpetually popular toy dog breed. 

1. Cavachon

A cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise, these little guys love to snuggle, and they get along well with people as well as dogs and other animals.

This gentle breed loves companionship, and is prone to separation anxiety.

A regular routine can help. So can training. These brainy little dogs thrive with training.

2. Cavapoo

The Cavapoo is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. These guys are super – literally.

They are super cute, super smart, and super friendly, and they happen to look just like small bears!

They love to snuggle and play, and they’re far more likely to ask for pets from an intruder than they are to protect anyone.

Then again, that’s what makes them so great. 

3. Cockapoo

The granddaddy of all teddy bear dogs, the Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle.

They usually have soft curly coats and adorably fluffy faces.

This is a calm, sweet-natured breed that loves to snuggle but also loves a good long walk.

They get along well with adults, children, and other animals. 

4. Zuchon

Also called a Shichon, this teddy bear dog is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu.

This super sweet little guy is a little bundle of adorable love.

They’re hypoallergenic, naturally friendly and adaptable, and they are equally happy wrestling as they are vegging out on the couch.

They do well in almost any home, as they get along great with kids, adults, and other animals, as well. 

5. Havapoo

A relative rarity among small breeds in that it doesn’t bark at every noise and shadow, the Havapoo is an excellent choice for those who live in apartments.

Although they can be energetic, this cross between a Havanese and Toy or Miniature Poodle is also equally happy sprawled on the couch for hours at a time.

This small and fluffy breed really only needs a couple of good walks and a lap. 

6. Malshi

The Malshi is a cross between the Maltese and Shih Tzu.

This breed is eager to please and intelligent, so it adapts well to almost any homelife and is a champ when it comes to training.

They love their family and want to be wherever they are at all times. 

7. Maltipoo

This Maltese/Poodle cross is an intelligent breed that is always the most excited social butterfly in the room.

They love to meet new people and new animal friends. They have a relatively low energy level and are content to spend their days lounging and cuddling.

Be aware that this is a particularly yappy breed, so it might not be the best choice for apartment dwellers. 

8. Miniature Goldendoodle

A cross between a Golden Retriever and a Minature Poodle, the Miniature Goldendoodle gets the best of everything from this breeding.

Highly intelligent and eager to please, these guys live to follow commands.

They are also easy-going and friendly to everyone and everything.

Their breeding makes them equally as happy to romp in the yard as they are to binge-watch Netflix with the fam. 

9. Morkie

Also called a Yorktese, this little guy is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier.

This breed is smart and incredibly lovable. However, they can be extremely bratty if not properly trained.

Morkies are super friendly with humans and animals, so be careful that yours doesn’t get squished while he’s playing with the neighbor’s Mastiff – because he will play with ANYTHING.

This breed is prone to separation anxiety so owners should begin desensitizing him to being left alone as soon as possible. 

10. Yorkipoo

The Yorkipoo is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle. They are brilliant dogs and eager to please, which makes them easy to train.

Yorkipoo’s are extremely loving and want to be with their people at all times.

These breeds do well in homes that tend to have at least one person home at all times.

They’re prone to fairly terrible separation anxiety, so this is not a breed to won if you tend to be gone for long periods of time. 

11. Pomchi

This cross between a Pomeranian and Chihuahua requires early socialization in order to have a happy, mentally healthy life.

Known as the small dog with a big personality, this little guy is naturally distrustful of strangers when not properly socialized.

However, with socialization, this breed is a fearlessly inquisitive, people-oriented social butterfly who loves everyone and every animal.

They’re prone to separation anxiety, so teach them it’s okay to be alone early. 

12. Pomeranian

The only purebred teddy bear dog is the Pomeranian.

Like some of the other mixes which have Pom in there, this breed is alert, loving, and affectionate with his family. They have soft fluffy coats and sweet faces.

However, he is naturally wary of strangers and will need early socialization to avoid protective and aggressive behavior down the line.

They’re also prone to being yappers, so it’s vital to socialize and train these intelligent fluffballs early and often. 

13. Poochon

Also called Bichpoo, this fluffy little guy is a cross between the Poodle and Bichon Frise.

Naturally intelligent and outgoing, this breed is perfect for singles, families, and those with more than one pet.

Basically, this breed loves everyone and everything. 

14. Schnoodle

The Schnoodle is a cross between a Schnauzer and Poodle.

Known as “forever happy”, this cheerful dog is all about family. They want to be included in everything at all times.

They get along well with everyone and every animal in the home, but they can be protective of the family when it comes to strangers, whether they have two or four legs.

This makes early socialization key. In addition, they have quite a lot of energy and need either frequent walks or a big backyard. 

15. Shih Poo

Shih Poos are a cross between Shih Tzus and Poodles.

This breed really got the best and worst from their crossbreeding. The best is their little fluffy bodies, loyalty, happiness, and low energy level. A perfect little teddy bear.

The worst is the stubbornness of the Shih Tzu combined with the intelligence of the Poodle.

They are stubborn and difficult to train, requiring you to earn their obedience.

However, once trained, they don’t forget, and they absolutely adore their families. 

16. Shorkie

A cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu, the Shorkie is a playful, lovable teddy bear dog that gets along well with people and other animals when properly socialized.

Prone to excessive barking and separation anxiety, this guy needs early training to be shown that it’s okay to be alone for a bit.

However, no amount of training will make him comfortable with owners who are gone for long periods of time. 

17. Westiepoo

Another adorable teddy bear dog breed is the West Highland Terrier/Poodle cross.

The WestiePoo is a naturally outgoing dog who has quite a bit of energy for his size.

This teddy bear dog loves to play with both humans and other animals and will warm up quickly to strangers after an initial period of cautiousness.

These dogs have a high prey drive, so don’t be surprised if he darts towards squirrels and other critters while on walks. 

18. Yorkipoo

The Yorkipoo is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle.

They are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy to train.

Yorkipoo’s are extremely loving and want to be with their people at all times. These breeds do well in homes that tend to have at least one person home at all times.

They’re prone to fairly terrible separation anxiety, so this is not a breed to won if you tend to be gone for long periods of time. 

19. Cairnoodle

Also called Carinpoos, Cairndoodles, Cairnpoodles, and Poocans, this variety of teddy is a cross between a cairn terrier and a poodle.

They are intelligent, playful, and highly energetic for a small dog. They dislike being left alone, and they adapt to training well.

20. Peekapoo

The Peekapoo is a cross between the Pekingese and Poodle. This sweet, affectionate teddy bear dog loves to be with his family at all times.

It is very important to socialize the Peekapoo early because it is an excellent guard dog. It’s too good, really.

This dog is adorable, tolerant, and loving with family, but he distrusts strangers, often barking and even attacking strangers he feels should not be there. 

21. Pomapoo

The Pomapoo is a cross between the Pomeranian and Poodle. This super adorable breed is outgoing, happy, loving, and devoted.

Unfortunately, the Pomapoo suffers from the instinctive wariness of strangers that many Pomeranians have, so early socialization is key.

With proper socialization, however, you’ll have a breed that loves to be around you at all times AND whoever you happen to be with at the moment – including other animals. 

Teddy Bear Dog Health

Teddy bear dogs are generally very healthy little guys. As a rule, crossbreeds and mutts are far healthier than pure breeds due to a less shallow gene pool.

They are generally less prone to the diseases prevalent in each of the pure breeds that are crossed to make the teddy bear, and as they are small breeds, they have lifespans of at least 12 to 15 years across the board. Some live even longer. 

They generally only have mild medical issues over the course of their lives such as luxating patellas or “bad teeth”.

Of course, as they age, these breeds become more prone to cancer just as all dog breeds do. 

Teddy Bear Dogs Make Great Pets

Teddy bear dogs make great pets. They have temperaments that range from energetic and spunky to laid-back couch potatoes and everything in between, so you’ll there’s sure to be a breed that’s a perfect match for your family.

So get ready for lots of cuddles and even more fluff. Teddy bear dogs are coming!